Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie reveals his dreams for Federal parliament under an Australian head of state

Andrew Wilkie used the address-in-reply debate, the traditional debate following the Governor-General's speech that opens each new Parliament, to imagine what might have been said under his preferred system.Source: News Corp Australia

TASMANIAN independent Andrew Wilkie wants more than just Australian heads of state.

He wants them to write their own speeches, independent of government, at the opening of Federal Parliament.

The Federal member for Denison used the address-in-reply debate, the traditional debate following the Governor-General's speech that opens each new Parliament, to imagine what might have been said under his preferred system.

Mr Wilkie, who as a young army officer was aide-de-camp to governors-general Ninian Stephen and Bill Hayden, said it was beyond time that an Australian head of state, rather than the representative of a foreign monarch, opened parliament.

Better still, Mr Wilkie said, he or she should set out what the new parliament should achieve.

The speech should be the head of state's, not one written by the prime minister's department or office.

“Wouldn't it be great,” Mr Wilkie continued, if he or she said the new government should deal with problem gambling, or end the live cattle trade, or take a tougher line over West Papua and Tibet, or a more compassionate approach to the disadvantaged and asylum seekers.

“I reckon she (the head of state) would want Australia to start acting like a rich and civilised country,” said Mr Wilkie — the last speaker in a debate that has meandered through parliament since Governor-General Quentin Bryce opened it on November 12 last year.

Comments on this story

Lynda Morris of Huon Posted at 3:22 PM March 19, 2014

What part of CONSTITUTIONAL Monarchy (includes Governors-General) does Wilkie not understand? If the Queen/King of AUSTRALIA is present at the Opening of a new Parliament, Mr Wilkie, she/he is given the purely nominal/formal job of telling the assembled Members of BOTH Houses (sitting together) what the governing Party/Coalition intends to do in the following Parliamentary Term. If the Monarch is not present, her representative (Governor-General of Australia) will read out the speech prepared by the new Parliament's Leader. He/she will do this as a nominal/formal job, again explaining the major legislation intended to be brought forward in this new Parliamentary Term. The Head of State is therefore a NON-POLITICAL representative of Australia. There is NO place for "own opinions" in these speeches. They are a simple "recording", if you like, of the intentions of the government. Is there anything I have left out? Government's legislative intentions, formal speech on behalf of ruling Party written by Government. Lots of tradition and formality. NO personal comments. Why do I have to explain this to an MP?

Andrew Williams of Goodwood Posted at 1:12 PM March 19, 2014

This is Wilkie's new one policy. Just as useless as the poker machines. Can't believe he got voted in again.

Peter Turner of Lower Invermay Posted at 4:55 PM March 18, 2014

John R.Wilson of Daisy Dell. Thanks John I will make sure I read it with my headphones turned on.